Bill > HB858

This bill establishes a comprehensive Agricultural Statistics Program within Hawaii's Department of Agriculture to address current limitations in agricultural data collection and analysis. The program will focus on collecting, analyzing, and reporting data about agricultural activities across Hawaii's islands, including tracking the transportation of fresh fruits and vegetables, conducting sector-specific surveys on topics like agricultural theft, farm technology, livestock productivity, and agricultural tourism. The department will be authorized to collaborate with various national and local entities such as the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, and University of Hawaii research organizations to enhance data collection efforts. The bill provides confidentiality protections for collected data, ensuring that individual producers cannot be identified in reports. To support the program's implementation, the bill appropriates funds for establishing new full-time equivalent positions for agricultural economists and research statisticians, securing office space, developing electronic data collection systems, and conducting specialized agricultural surveys. The program aims to provide producers and policymakers with critical insights to support strategic decision-making and resource allocation in Hawaii's agricultural sector, with the ultimate goal of supporting agricultural growth and development. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2050.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=858&year=2026